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Lost and Found Pets

What to do if You've Lost a Pet

Start looking for your pet immediately! Don't wait for several days, thinking it will come back on its own. It probably won't! Your animal could be injured, lost, or be picked up by animal control or a concerned citizen and taken to the Wichita Animal Shelter or Kansas Humane Society. Take these actions until your pet is found...

1. Visit both local animal shelters. State law requires that shelters hold a stray for three days, to give the owner time to reclaim it. After that, the animal may be adopted or euthanized. Immediately file a lost pet report at both shelters, but don't rely entirely on a telephone call or lost report. It is very important that you personally visit the shelters to look for your pet. Your description of the animal may differ from someone else's. Shelters handle hundreds of animals every week, and staff members don't have time to keep a constant watch for your pet.

   The Kansas Humane Society
   (316) 524-9196
   4218 Southeast Boulevard, Wichita, KS 67210
   *Shelter hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. everday except for Wednesdays, when the shelter is closed to the public.
   **The Kansas Humane Society does not pick up stray animals, but does accept stray animals brought in by citizens.

   Wichita Animal Shelter
   (316) 838-9623
   3303 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219
   *Shelter hours: 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Monday - Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
   **The Wichita Animal Shelter is run by the Wichita Animal Control department. The city of Wichita and Sedgwick County animal control departments do pick up stray animals, and house them at the Wichita Animal Shelter.

2. Call the KFDI Pet Patrol at 821-2008; your lost pet ad will air every day that you call.
    
3. Check your local newspaper for lost and found classified ads. The Wichita Eagle will run found pet ads for free, so you may find your pet listed. Run your own lost pet ad.
    
4. Alert your veterinarian that your pet is lost, and give them your phone number. If your pet has a rabies tag or microchip implant, your veterinarian can be notified.
    
5. Visit neighbors, and post notices around your neighborhood. Ask neighbors to check their garages and sheds -- cats are especially notorious for getting locked up in places. Ask neighborhood children, delivery people, and mail carriers if they've seen your pet.
    
6. Unfortunately, many animals that run loose are hit and killed by cars. You can check the descriptions of dead animals that have been picked up by calling City Animal Control (268-8473) or County Animal control (383-7070).
    
7. When you find your animal, plan to provide proof of ownership (like photographs or veterinary records). If you are reclaiming your pet from someone you don't know, be cautions -- especially if you've offered a cash reward. Take normal precautions to prevent becoming a crime victim.
    
8. Don't give up on your pet! It can take weeks to find a lost animal.

What to do Once You've Found Your Pet

1. Get your animal a collar, and identification and rabies tags, and make sure the animal wears them at all times. You might also consider identifying your pet with a microchip implant -- ask your veterinarian about this.
    
2. If your pet is not already spayed or neutered, get it done! Many animals get loose and roam because they are in heat or want to get to another animal that is in heat. Spaying and neutering will take away your pet's desire to roam; will reduce health and behavior problems; and will ensure that your pet does not contribute to the tragic problem of pet overpopulation.
    
3. Do not let your animal run loose for any reason, even for a short time. Many animals get lost when they "were only let out for a minute" and whose owners were sure they would "never leave the yard." Provide a fenced yard for your dog, and consider bringing your cat indoors permanently.

What to do if You've Found a Pet

1. Turn it in to your local animal shelter. Owners of lost animals will be looking for their pets at area shelters.
    
2. Report the found animal to the KFDI Pet Patrol (821-2008) and run a found pet classified ad in the Wichita Eagle (free!) or your local newspaper. Post found notices in the neighborhood.
    
3. If you do keep a lost animal, and it is reclaimed by its owner, request a photograph that proves ownership. Be cautious - arrange to meet in a public location, rather than your home, and take normal precautions to avoid becoming a crime victim.
   
   

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